|
Subject: Re: It's a baby girl!
Date: July 30, 2006
Hello again,
We'd like to start by thanking everyone for your thoughts, prayers,
love, and support for us, and especially for Joséphine. We could
not possibly have imagined how supportive everyone would be; we are
truly blessed to have such caring family and friends. We'd like to
pass along our sincerest thanks to everyone -- you made a great
difference in our lives, and in Joséphine's, and we will always
remember and treasure this.
It is with very deep sorrow that we bring you the saddest of news:
on Friday night (July 28th), around 8pm, Joséphine Marie-Adèle
Ouellette left us after a very courageous 17 day battle with her
devastating injuries. She died peacefully in our arms, surrounded by
our love and prayers; our little angel is now in Heaven. We're sure
that she knew how much we, and so many other people, loved her,
prayed for her, and cared for her.
Within 24 hours of her birth, we learned that Joséphine had suffered
a severe brain injury (due to a lack of oxygen that most likely
occurred during the final stages of delivery), and damage
to many vital organs, and that there was nothing that could
be done medically to heal her. On her second day, we were told that
her body was beginning to shut down, that she was dying, and that she
likely only had about 12-24 hours to live.
Over the course of the next two weeks, we saw some miraculous
improvements in Joséphine. Her body began to recover: her
circulation improved, she began to move more and more, she began to
breathe on her own well enough that she no longer required a
ventilator (using only a nasal CPAP to keep her lungs open), and she
was able to be fed her mother's milk through a feeding tube.
We will always be thankful for getting these extra two weeks with her,
to be able to hold her, to sing to her, and to let her know how much
we loved her. We truly believe that all the love and prayers for
Joséphine made this possible.
Unfortunately, Thursday afternoon (July 27th), she started to
struggle, slowly declined, and passed away Friday night. She spent her
last day in our arms, as we took turns rocking and comforting her.
Joséphine was with us for 17 unforgettable days. We were praying for
the miracle of her complete recovery, but we know we were granted the
miracle of getting to know her, to be with her, and to love her so
deeply for these 17 wonderful days. We wouldn't trade this time for
anything.
We miss her so much and are very saddened that she is no longer
with us, but we are also at peace. Joséphine brought us such peace
and serenity whenever we were with her, she deepened our faith,
and she touched the lives of so many people. We will never know
why she had to leave us so early, but we trust that this is part
of God's greater plan.
In our time at the Hospital for Sick Children, we saw a lot of
critically ill babies and their overwhelmed families. In Joséphine's
memory, we'd like to ask that you include them in your thoughts and
prayers.
Andria, Marc, Célia, and Joséphine (who will always be with us)
PS Please visit www.whockey.com/am for upcoming details of the
visitations/funeral, and for photos of our beautiful little angel.
|
